 |
|
 |
| TRAVEL & TOURISM |
|
|
|
The Pattaya Syndrome
by Ayarada
What is the Pattaya Syndrome?, you might ask. Well, it’s not to be
explained in one sentence.
Many people come to Pattaya to spend a few months, a few years and, a few,
the rest of their lives here. Most of them come with good intentions, some
of them don’t, but we are not going to talk about them. We are going to talk
about the good people in Pattaya.
Those good people are the ones who take the talk of the town very seriously
about “changing the image of Pattaya”. Many people who have their homes here
are saying, “Something must be done to put Pattaya back on the map. Somebody
should try to do something about it.” Complaints are made like: ”There is
nothing going on here, if we like to have some entertainment, we have to go
all the way to Bangkok to get it.”
Like in every big town, we have a lot of very energetic personalities in
Pattaya. People who have the power, the experience, the imagination and the
intention to change “The image”. These people are always trying to bring new
life, entertainment, challenges and fun into our town. But there is where
the problem starts. Nobody can do everything all alone. Everybody need’s
help. Be it clubs, institutions, companies, hotels, public organizations or
private persons, help is needed to promote or to sponsor events. Now,
sponsorship is quite easy to get. All the big companies, clubs and even
private people are more than willing to help - as long as there is only
money involved but no work.
Hotels think different about it. Each of them is willing to participate at
big events like the Pattaya Carnival, Jazz Festival, Pattaya Festival,
a.s.o. As long as it takes place somewhere outdoors. As soon as it comes to
the point that one of those festivities needs to be held in one hotel, the
familiar quotations are: “Why should we help to promote another hotel?” or
“It’s again a one-man-show.” On the other hand, every manager expects their
colleagues to show up and participate when things go on in his own place. We
don’t like to go so far as to insinuate jealousy - no-shows might be only
lack of time. Still, we believe in the old saying: “Give a little, take a
little”. Usually an organisation like the Thai Hotel Association should take
care of it’s members. As far as it is now, too little communication, too
little information and too little involvement is coming from this
organisation.
Another big organisation, the TAT (Tourist Authority of Thailand) is usually
involved in every big event. They are doing a good job - internally. But
nothing is being brought to the outside, i.e. little promotion is being
done. Information is given - same as from the THA - very rarely. If nobody
knows what’s going on in this town, how do they expect many visitors and
guests at those events? Clubs who offer help, participation and sponsorship
are ignored. Faxes, letters and phone calls are not responded to. If this
organization would take the help of experienced people, it would be a
benefit to Pattaya, and some events would be more successful than in the
past
As far as the expected audience of such events, many people in Pattaya
expect to get entrance tickets for free and, on top of it, some drinks or
food as well. As soon as it comes time to pay for it, a lot of very
honorable people back away. Again, we come to the old saying: “Give a
little, take a little”. If people don’t want to join if they have to pay,
how can they expect nice parties, shows, concerts, carnivals and many other
events held? Everything cost’s money, everybody likes to get paid and, if
there is no income, there’s no show.
Recently, a few events had to be withdrawn. The expectation was big - the
result of selling tickets very low and the participation even lower. It’s a
shame! “Somebody” tries to do “something” - but nobody is helping. The
resolution: let those people who complain that there is “nothing” going on
in Pattaya keep sitting at their preferred beer-bars, for this is probably
all they are asking for in life. Let them be happy with their Pattaya
Syndrome.
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
